Andina

Peru: Everything is ready for Machu Picchu's reopening to tourists in November

Inca citadel of Mchu Picchu.

Inca citadel of Mchu Picchu.

10:49 | Lima, Oct. 16.

The worldwide expectation placed on the upcoming reopening of Machu Picchu —one of the 7 new wonders of the world— increases and, in view of this growing interest, Culture Minister Alejandro Neyra has confirmed that everything is ready for the resumption of tourist visits to Peru's main tourist icon in November.

The culture sector's head reported that, on Saturday, he will meet with members of the Machu Picchu Management Unit —a working group made up of representatives of the Ministries of Culture, Foreign Trade-Tourism, and Environment, as well as the Regional Government of Cusco and the District Municipality of Machu Picchu— in a bid to set the exact date of the long-awaited reopening to tourists.

"All the biosafety protocols are ready and implemented for the arrival of tourists in Machu Picchu. The reopening date should be confirmed tomorrow. All the conditions are in place," the minister affirmed.

He went on to say that the campaign to promote tourism will be launched tomorrow, too.

In statements to Radio Nacional, Neyra affirmed that Machu Picchu will receive Cusco locals, as well as national and foreign tourists starting November.

"It will reopen for everyone, but a special emphasis will be placed on intra-regional tourism, so that Cusco locals can get to know or visit Machu Picchu again, and take advantage of the fact that admission will be free in this first stage," the government official explained.

Neyra highlighted the widespread interest aroused by the visit of Japanese Jesse Katayama to the Inca citadel, who fulfilled his dream of being able to enter after nearly 7 months of mandatory quarantine decreed by the Government of Peru to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

(END) MAO/RMB

Published: 10/16/2020